White House Says Hopes Ceasefire 'Comes To Fruition' Between Azerbaijan and Armenians

Washington D.C./21.09.23/Turan:  The White House said on Wednesday that it hopes the latest ceasefire to halt hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh takes hold and averts further violence, TURAN's U.S. correspondent reports.

"We're getting some preliminary reports that there could be a ceasefire in the offing. We certainly hope that that comes to fruition, and the violence stops, and the humanitarian situation isn't worsened," National Security Advisor John Kirby told reporters during a conference call.

He went on to add "We have repeatedly emphasized that the use of force is absolutely unacceptable, runs counter to efforts to create the conditions for peace in the region," Azerbaijan on Wednesday claimed complete control of Nagorno-Karabakh following the latest outbreak of fighting. Kirby said the U.S. was “deeply concerned” about the use of force, adding that Washington was closely watching the worsening humanitarian situation in the region.

Kirby's comments came as the U.S. Security Council is poised to convene for a briefing this afternoon (New York time) on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. France requested the meeting following a letter sent by Armenia to the president of the Security Council.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in its Wednesday night statement on Armenia National Day, noted that the U.S. supports Armenia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and "remains committed" to promoting a durable and dignified peace for the South Caucasus region "where the rights of all are respected."

Alex Raufoglu